(Pictures: Roger Farias)
London residents gathered this Tuesday for the London and Area Works Job Fair at White Oaks Mall. Attendees hoped to connect directly with recruiters, learn about employment offers, and explore available positions in the region.
Statistics Canada released a report on September 6 showing London’s unemployment rate at 6.5 per cent in August 2024, up from 5.4 per cent in August 2023. The increase has raised worries about job shortages, lengthy hiring processes, and immigration policy changes, including work hour limits for international students.
Considering the ongoing employment concerns, 106.9 The X spoke with a diverse group of participants, representing various cultures, immigration statuses, ages, and backgrounds, to learn about their experiences in the job market and their perspectives on the job fair.
“My goal is to get a job right now. There’s a lot of unemployment because the competition is high. If you can participate in events like this, there’s a better chance you’ll gain practical knowledge and might even get hired based on your in-person application, rather than applying online. I found out about this fair late, so next time I plan to stay updated by following news, social media, and websites that post about upcoming job fairs around the city,” said Aashis Bhattarai, a BIM student from Nepal at Fanshawe College.
Md Khalad Shamim, from Bangladesh, has his own trade company and moved to London five months ago after living in China. “I’ve been looking for a job for more than three months. It´s been surprising for me to find one because the job market here is different from other countries and it’s very difficult. I think it’s tough a newcomer but once you find a job, life would be easy. I had some interviews at the fair and It’s a very good opportunity because you get to meet a lot of companies at the same time so you can choose where you want to apply,” he said.
Chihiro Mallari, a Londoner starting her career journey, expressed, “I’m not employed and I’m not going to school at the moment, so finding a job is the number one thing for me. I’m an artist, so I’m interested in animation and character design. I just want to find an entry-level job so I can support myself. I came to the job fair to hopefully find some resources. It was a great way to talk to the employers to get a chance to introduce myself and advertise what I can provide for the company versus just setting a resume online that might get overlooked.”
Alexandra P., from Ukraine, studied an MBA and arrived in Canada six months ago through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. She’s currently job hunting and highlights the importance of social relationships in London and nearby areas.
“I’m not sure if it’s that I haven’t had any luck finding a job in the city. I feel London might be small in a way that you can meet common people through acquaintances, know somebody’s friend and then it will turn out you have some mutual people but other than that job-wise It’s mostly about getting to know organizations that can help you. I have heard a lot of stories about people who got jobs because someone else recommended them, so from what I understand that’s the idea,” Alexandra explained.
“This fair was useful, especially for foreigners, because It’s hard to meet people on the street and difficult to find a job without connections. Networking seems more helpful than applying online or contacting employers independently,” she concluded.
“I noticed that companies showcased their profiles, allowing attendees to see if they match those positions. My wife and I arrived from Colombia two months ago as permanent residents, giving us the same advantages as any other Canadian. We’re both job hunting, and I’m assessing my English proficiency. In Canada, you can market yourself and find a company that suits you. Your status affects the jobs and hours available to you. I’m seeking opportunities in customer service and adapting my experience. To achieve this, I need to start volunteering and learn the process. I brought a simple resume to the fair,” said Javier Castañeda.
Terry Reeves, a refugee from Liberia who arrived in Canada in November 2023, had to say: “Since I came to Canada, I’ve seen that employment is a bit difficult as compared to what you hear from people before coming to the country. I do not have my PR yet. The process is slow but I think gradually I will get it. I’m happy I attended this job fair. There were lots of different companies, and I was able to develop some connections that I think will help me to get something from there. I brought nine resumes with me today. Some companies accepted them in person, while others asked me to send them via email.”
According to Christine Wilton, Workforce Development Director of the London Economic Development Corporation, the September job fair at White Oaks Mall tends to be less busy due to the Fanshawe College Career Opportunities Fair, which attracts many students. In April, when people are done finishing up schools, job-seeking activity increases. Despite that, employers reported being busy, with approximately 1,000 job openings available. The event had about 1,200 registrations.
